Building our domestic church one day at a time

My MIL is better than your MIL

So I have been considering writing a few posts about inspirational people in my life, and I thought that one of the most obvious places for me to start would be my mother-in-law.

Now, before we start thinking of in-law jokes (I was at a magic show, when after one particularly amazing trick, someone screamed out, “wow, how did you do that.” I would tell you”, answered the magician predictably, “but then I’d have to kill you.” After a moments pause the same voice screamed out “can you tell my mother in law?”) I should say that in all seriousness, I have been so blessed to be given the gift of my mother-in-law.

The first time I met my MIL, my husband had invited me for dinner. His mom turned out to be one of the sweetest, most thoughtful women I had ever met. Beyond that, she was wise.

She raised four boys. She worked as a nurse. She is amazing at organizing, and is one of the holiest people I know.

My MIL helped me to learn to pray. When anyone visits her home, they are welcome into an atmosphere of love, of openness, and of open, whole hearted prayer. She serves. Everyone. She lives a life of service. It is amazing. When I have had any of my children, she helped me clean and organize. She got into the messy and unkempt corners of my life, and never judged me. She just did what she could to help me.

My MIL has a gift of kindly sharing her faith. She never hesitates to talk about it with anyone. She is honest about it. She has spent her life in a quest for holiness. She does not shy away from Truths.

If ever I could see an image of God in flesh, I suspect that my MIL encompasses it. She helps me relate to God through my relationship with her. He helps me clean out my messy parts of my soul without judgement. (She does it in my home). He sees my value. (She sees EVERYONE’s value). He leads me. (She helps me learn to be a leader in my life). He loves me. (She loves the world).

Chad told me once that his mother prayed for his spouse since he was a child. I suspect this prayer is part of what has protected me throughout my life, and played no small part in my returning to my faith.

Some things that I have learned from her (because you know I love lists):

– Faith is a verb.
– Prayer is the most powerful and yet most neglected asset in this world.
– Saying out loud what you believe is not something embarrassing.
– Humility does not mean low self esteem.
– Wisdom is expressed through actions more often than words.
– It IS possible to get my house clean.
– Some people have skills that I will never possess (like organization 😉 ).
– Kindness changes people. Permanently.

So, a big thank you to my MIL (who I doubt will ever see this) for being who she is. For inspiring and leading. For sharing who she is with the world. For helping me to have the strength and courage to share who I am also.